Jail for hand grenade hoax caller

A hoax caller from Bedfordshire whose claims that he was sitting on a hand grenade let to the evacuation of 28 homes has been jailed for nine months.

Nicholas Beard, 39, of Williamson Road, Kempston, admitted conveying false information, causing a public nuisance and wasting police time.

Luton Crown Court heard Beard had made 22 hoax and nuisance calls to the emergency services in 2008.

Beard was also made the subject of a five-year anti-social behaviour order.

This bans him making false calls to emergency services, being drunk outside his home and causing his neighbours alarm and distress.

Overdose fear

Laura Blackband, prosecuting said: "He made a 999 call saying he had cut his wrist and wanted to die.

"The call was treated as urgent and police and an ambulance attended his home.

"He appeared at the top of the stairs brandishing a kitchen knife threatening to kill himself and retreated to his bedroom.

"He then said he had a hand grenade and had pulled the pin out and was sitting on it."

This led to a major operation to ensure the safety of the neighbourhood.

Beard eventually came out of the house, saying he had taken an overdose.

Judge Barbara Mensah told Beard: "Offences such as these cause alarm, anxiety and apprehension particularly at times of heightened concerns."